A Devotional Blog by Denny DeWitt

Main menu

Post navigation

Peter’s Sermon on Pentecost

In Acts 2, we learn how God birthed the church on Pentecost. Peter’s sermon shows us what happened. The Promise of the Father came down that day.

Doubt Entered

The Galileans who were filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke in languages they did not know. Jews and proselytes from other regions and countries heard them speak the mighty works of God in their own language! The Holy Spirit did it.

Natives of Judea and Jerusalem, especially the scribes, Pharisees, and chief priests—scorned what they saw and heard. They said, “They are full of new wine” (Acts 2:13 NASB).

Peter’s First Sermon

Peter was excited, but angered that some missed the wonder of it. They tried to misguide the people. Peter stepped forward with the Eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this” (Acts 2:14 NLT).

Peter shouted his message, not because of all the tongues spoken, but because he understood it was a God-orchestrated happening. What amazes me is that Peter quoted Old Testament Scripture as would a learned man. The Holy Spirit spoke through Peter for sure.

God’s Wondrous Acts

I will pour out my Spirit on all people (shocking that it’s men and women)

Your sons and daughters will prophesy

Old men will dream dreams

Young men will see visions

I will cause wonders on earth and heavens

Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved [emphasis mine]

Peter sternly closed his sermon with remarks from King David’s prophecy (Psalms 16:8-11) concerning Christ Jesus. Peter said, . . . Let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah! (Acts 2:36).

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church—about three thousand in all (Acts 2:41 NLT). The Holy spirit did it—The Promise of the Father came down that day.

Prayer: Father, I praise you. Thank you for the miraculous way you birthed our Church.

Questions: If you had been there, what would have been your impression of the day of Pentecost? If you were a Jew, how would you have responded?